For some, veganism is a legitimate diet. For others, it can hide an eating disorder. (Flickr)

(Newser)
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For most vegans, their diet is a way to avoid animal products, but for some, it’s become a way to avoid food—period. Veganism is becoming more popular in America, where 5% of the population follows the no-animal-products diet. Most of those people are making a healthy choice, writes Danielle Friedman for the Daily Beast. But for those prone to eating disorders, veganism can quickly become dangerous, because it can mask or trigger anorexia or bulimia.

Vegans, after all, have a good excuse for skipping the turkey and stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner, so families are often blind to their risky eating habits. Younger adherents are especially at risk, according to a 2009 study. One doctor and dietician’s controversial advice to parents: Don’t allow children to be vegetarian until college, because the diet can be a “ruse.” And veganism isn't the most extreme diet out there: Click here to read about “freegans.”

Personally, veganism helped me overcome my bulimia by encouraging better eating habits and less guilt. High-fat processed animal products (like ice cream) are some of the most purge-worthy. I would encourage anyone struggling with disordered eating to do their research and adopt a healthy, varied vegan diet.

mraveragedancer

Oct 24, 2010 12:38 AM CDT

What nonsense. Anything I've read suggests that 30-50% of anorexics are vegetarians, which means that 50% - at least - ARE NOT vegetarians. Interesting, I find, how leaving out the other half of the equation, suggests that vegetarianism is a precursor for anorexia. Might I suggest that mental illness, and the effects of starving oneself, are are the antecedents for anorexia. I'm a might curious as to who wanted this information circulated. Couldn't be the cattle industry. Naw......they'd never.